What are the barriers to effective listening?

Answer 1

In the listening process there are things that interfere with or get in the way of effective listening. We call these situational thoughts and actions barriers to listening. In any situation, barriers prevent effective communication. These barriers can be within ourselves (psychological), in the communication situation or environment (such as noise or other distractions), or they can be learned from our social or cultural associations and influences (like reactions to stereotypical labels or ethnocentric rituals).

The most salient listening barriers for most people are psychological, intra-personal, or situational. These can include intrapersonal distractions such as interior "noise," semantic noise, information overload, perceptions of the speaker, or self perceptions and personal biases that get in the way of listening to others. There are also situational noise/distractions, physical and otherwise that should be managed if we are to listen at our best.